The A-Star 32U4 Mini SV is a programmable module based on the ATmega32U4 from Atmel. Unlike competing products, it has an onb...

A-Star 32U4 Mini SV

SKU: POLOLU-3104

$25.08AUD,&nbspinc GST

$22.80 AUD, exc GST

A-Star 32U4 Mini SV

25.08AUD

SKU: POLOLU-3104

$25.08AUD,&nbspinc GST

$22.80 AUD, exc GST

In stock, with a short lead time. 105 units dispatch in 4 to 9 days (in addition to the shipping method you choose). Our timing and stock is accurate.
Delivery to you by Mon, 25th of Dec with Express Post within Australia.

This postage option takes 3-7 business days and might not be available depending on your total order size. We also offer air mail services which cost a little more although are faster and trackable.

Overview

The Pololu A-Star 32U4 Mini boards are general-purpose programmable modules based on Atmel’s ATmega32U4 AVR microcontroller, which has 32 KB of flash program memory, 2.5 KB of RAM, and built-in USB functionality. The A-Star (abbreviated A*) adds a number of onboard features to support the microcontroller and make it easier to work with, including a 16 MHz crystal, a USB Micro-B connector, an in-system programming (ISP) header, a reset button, and three indicator LEDs.

A-Star 32U4 Mini ULV, LV, and SV.

Each A-Star 32U4 Mini contains a switching regulator that efficiently produces 5 V from an external voltage source to power the microcontroller. Three different versions are available, covering a wide range of input voltages:

A robust power selection circuit enables seamless transitions between regulator power and USB power, and overcurrent and reverse-voltage protection help safeguard the board against accidental damage.

All 26 general-purpose I/O lines on the ATmega32U4 are accessible on the A* 32U4 Mini; 7 of these are usable as PWM outputs and 12 are usable as analog inputs. The board measures 1.9″ × 0.7″, the same size as an Arduino Micro, and features a pair of mounting holes sized for #2 or M2 screws (not included). Its 0.1″ pin spacing makes the A* easy to use with solderless breadboards, perfboards, and 0.1″-pitch connectors.

Pololu's comprehensive user’s guide provides the basics you need to get started with the A-Star as well as detailed technical information for advanced users.

Details for item #3104

A-Star 32U4 Mini SV, bottom view with dimensions.

This version, the A-Star Mini SV, can be powered from a 5 V to 36 V external source. The input voltage is regulated to 5 V by a 500 mA ISL85415 switching step-down (buck) converter from Intersil. (We also make a standalone regulator based on this integrated circuit.)

As shown in the left graph below, the SV’s switching regulator has an efficiency – defined as (Power out)/(Power in) – of 80% to 95% for most combinations of input voltage and load.

The A-Star’s components, including the microcontroller and LEDs, draw 30 mA to 40 mA in typical applications. The rest of the regulator’s achievable output current, which depends on input voltage as well as ambient conditions, can be used to power other devices. The right graph above shows output currents at which the voltage regulator’s over-temperature protection typically kicks in after a few seconds. These currents represent the limit of the regulator’s capability and cannot be sustained for long periods; a good estimate for the maximum continuous regulator output current is 60% to 70% of the values shown in the graph or 500 mA, whichever is lower (the regulator is not rated for operation above 500 mA).

Arduino compatibility

The A-Star 32U4 ships with a preloaded Arduino-compatible bootloader (which uses 4 KB of flash memory, leaving 28 KB available for the user program). Pololu provide a software add-on that enables the board to be easily programmed from the Arduino environment.

The A-Star 32U4 Mini boards use the same microcontroller as the Arduino Leonardo and Arduino Micro and run at the same frequency, and they are the same size as the Arduino Micro, but they offer a number of advantages over these other ATmega32U4-based boards. Most notably, their efficient switching regulators cover a wide range of input voltages, opening up new possibilities for powering projects built around Arduino-compatible microcontroller boards. Another advantage is the power selection circuit based on the TPS2113A power multiplexer from Texas Instruments, which allows safe, seamless power switching between USB and an external source without losses from passive components like fuses or diodes along with the ability to monitor and control the selected power source. Additionally, the A* 32U4 Mini breaks out a few additional pins from the ATmega32U4 microcontroller that are not exposed on the Arduino Micro or Leonardo, and it features larger, more convenient mounting holes than the Arduino Micro.

Pinout

This diagram identifies the I/O and power pins on the A-Star 32U4 Mini (even though it shows the ULV version, it applies to all three A-Star Mini boards); it is also available as a printable PDF (269k pdf). For more information about the ATmega32U4 microcontroller and its peripherals, see Atmel’s ATmega32U4 documentation.

Printed on the A* circuit board are indicators that you can use to quickly identify each pin’s capabilities: a triangle next to the pin means it can be used as an analog input, and a square wave symbol under the pin number means it can be used as a PWM output.

The A-Star 32U4 Mini can either be powered directly from the USB 5 V supply or from an external voltage source, which is regulated to 5 V by its onboard regulator, and the board’s power selection circuit enables automatic, uninterrupted transitions between the two power sources. When the A-Star is powered through an external power supply connected to the BAT+ and BAT- pins, its reverse-voltage protection circuit helps prevent it from being damaged by accidentally-reversed power connections, and the VIN pin can be used as an output to supply reverse-protected power to other devices. Alternatively, the external supply can be connected directly between VIN and GND, bypassing the reverse-voltage protection.

Included hardware

A pair of 1×17-pin breakaway 0.1″ male headers is included with the A-Star 32U4 Micro, which can be soldered in to use the board with perfboards, breadboards, or 0.1″ female connectors. Also included is a 2×3 header that can be installed to allow external programming of the microcontroller through the AVR ISP interface, such as with Pololu's USB AVR programmer. The board has two mounting holes that work with #2 and M2 screws (not included).

A-Star 32U4 Mini LV with included optional headers.

A-Star 32U4 Mini SV with soldered headers and connected USB cable.

The A-Star family

The table below shows some key features and specifications of Pololu's A-Star microcontroller boards to help you choose the right one for your application.

1 Three extra digital I/O lines are accessible through the ISP header.

2 These values are rough approximations for comparison purposes. Available current depends on input voltage, current consumed by the board, ambient conditions, and regulator topology. See product documentation and performance graphs for details.

Documentation and Resources:

Product Comments

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